‘I am an Indian too’: NSUI protests Tripura student killing in Dehradun, holds candle march in Delhi

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) held a candle march at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi after a student from the North East's Tripura was beaten to death in Dehradun over his identity. The students’ body is demanding justice for the victim of the hate crime incident.

Anjel Chakma, a young student from Tripura, was beaten to death in Dehradun allegedly over his identity after being racially abused and called “Chinese.” The victim repeatedly said that he was an Indian while the perpetrators continued to assault him, the students’ body said.

The NSUI claimed that the BJP-led Uttarakhand government failed to act for nearly 20 days after the incident. “The administration sat on the case, allowing the accused to roam free. Only after Anjel succumbed to his injuries and massive public outrage erupted was an FIR finally registered,” Varun Choudhary, president of NSUI said.

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BJP-RSS must stop spreading hate, says NSUI

Blaming the toxic atmosphere created by the BJP-RSS, the students’ wing said that such incidents are not isolated but are the direct outcome of the “continuously spreading hate, division, and prejudice.”

“The BJP and RSS must immediately stop spreading hatred against communities and people from the North East. These repeated attacks and the confidence with which criminals act are the result of political protection. NSUI demands strict punishment for the culprits and accountability of the officials who tried to suppress this case,” Choudhary said.

Urging the government to take quick action and concrete steps to end discrimination and impunity, the NSUI stated that no Indian deserves hate for their identity or appearance. India belongs equally to every Indian from the North East to the rest of the country, the students’ body said.

“Through this candle march, NSUI reiterated its unwavering commitment to resist racism, hate crimes, and violence,” it added.